Dr. Tseng ordered to stand trial for murder in overdose deaths

A Rowland Heights doctor accused of over-prescribing medications has been ordered to stand trial for second-degree murder in the overdose deaths of three of her patients.

The decision on Tuesday by Superior Court Judge M.L. Villar de Longoria to send Dr. Lisa Tseng to trial came after a three-week preliminary hearing where the osteopath was portrayed as the go-to doctor for people seeking drugs.

The case is unusual. Tseng is one of only a handful of doctors nationwide to be charged with murder related to prescription drugs. The Los Angeles County District Attorney has never pursued second-degree murder against a doctor for writing prescriptions.

There was testimony about a total of 12 of Tseng's patients who died of drug overdoses. A few young men testified under grants of immunity.

She has pleaded not guilty to 24 felony counts and could face 45 years to life in prison if convicted on all charges.

Tseng will be arraigned July 10. She's behind bars with her bail set at $3 million.